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NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Group’s lawsuit against prison is dismissed
A Hilo judge dismissed a lawsuit intended to block the reopening of the minimum-security Kulani Correctional Facility.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported that Circuit Judge Glenn Hara granted the dismissal Wednesday based on a request by the Department of Public Safety.
Ohana Ho’opakele, a Hawaiian group, sought to have a puuhonua, or place of refuge or healing, at the site.
The group argued the state’s environmental assessment didn’t consider a place of healing and that the state had not followed a 2012 law that directed DPS to work with Ohana Ho’opakele and others to establish a puuhonua at the site unless a better place could be found. The group also maintained that a prison is an improper use of ceded lands.
The first group of 21 inmates was transferred to Kulani, 20 miles from Hilo, on Monday.
The 200-bed Hawaii island facility reopened July 1 after it was closed in 2009 for financial reasons by Gov. Linda Lingle.
Representatives of Ohana Ho’opakele said they will appeal.
Arizona visitor dies of injury after rescue
A 42-year-old Arizona visitor found floating in the ocean fronting Maui’s Makena Surf Resort has died.
Maui police said Wendy Van Briesen of Chandler, Ariz., died Saturday. She was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition July 13 after being rescued from the ocean.
Van Briesen suffered a spinal cord injury, police said.
Star-Advertiser staff and Associated Press